Typically, a filibuster happens after the debate has begun. A bill is brought to the floor. Senators debate it. They propose changes to it. They vote on amendments. When the amending is done, a procedural vote is held -- which under Senate rules requires a supermajority of 60 votes to succeed -- whether or not to end the debate and move to a final vote.

We all know Republicans have been abusing the supermajority rule for a long time to prevent Democrats from acting on behalf of the American majority. But despite the obstructionist strategy, during the first two years of the Obama administration, several significant reforms did become law -- all, except health care, with a few Republican votes -- after debate was allowed to occur and both parties had the opportunity to amend legislation.

Yesterday, however, Republicans decided the risk of having any sort of jobs bill pass was just too great.

The front-page headline in the Orlando Sentinel, above a photo of the President having a beer in a local pub with unemployed workers, read: "OBAMA: AMERICA NEEDS MY JOBS BILL."

Yet the national media do not appear to be treating yesterday's vote as a major development. Because the outcome was predicted in advance, because political reporters are treating the Americans Jobs Act as a political maneuver and not a serious policy proposal, yesterday's vote received mundane coverage.

But the local headlines and recent polling suggest that Republicans should not take national media passivity as evidence that they are getting away with their usual "block and blame" strategy.

It will be very difficult for Republicans, during the course of the next 12 months, to keep saying "no" on having the Senate discuss jobs, without even an attempt to propose an alternative taken seriously by independent economists, and expect the public not to notice.

Typically, a filibuster happens after the debate has begun. A bill is brought to the floor. Senators debate it. They propose changes to it. They vote on amendments. When the amending is done, a procedural vote is held -- which under Senate rules requires a supermajority of 60 votes to succeed -- whether or not to end the debate and move to a final vote.

We all know Republicans have been abusing the supermajority rule for a long time to prevent Democrats from acting on behalf of the American majority. But despite the obstructionist strategy, during the first two years of the Obama administration, several significant reforms did become law -- all, except health care, with a few Republican votes -- after debate was allowed to occur and both parties had the opportunity to amend legislation.

Yesterday, however, Republicans decided the risk of having any sort of jobs bill pass was just too great.

The front-page headline in the Orlando Sentinel, above a photo of the President having a beer in a local pub with unemployed workers, read: "OBAMA: AMERICA NEEDS MY JOBS BILL."

Yet the national media do not appear to be treating yesterday's vote as a major development. Because the outcome was predicted in advance, because political reporters are treating the Americans Jobs Act as a political maneuver and not a serious policy proposal, yesterday's vote received mundane coverage.

But the local headlines and recent polling suggest that Republicans should not take national media passivity as evidence that they are getting away with their usual "block and blame" strategy.

It will be very difficult for Republicans, during the course of the next 12 months, to keep saying "no" on having the Senate discuss jobs, without even an attempt to propose an alternative taken seriously by independent economists, and expect the public not to notice.